Andrew Doyle/MUNICH
Rolls-Royce Deutschland, the engine manufacturer formerly known as BMW R-R which comes under full ownership of R-R in the new year, will take on an expanded role within the UK group as it targets new applications for its BR700 series turbofans.
Meanwhile, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (Dasa) has denied industry rumours that it is about to dispose of Germany's other powerplant specialist, MTU.
R-R chief executive John Rose says the company's Berlin-based subsidiary could take on a significant share of development work for the planned Trent 900 for the Airbus A3XX, having already designed the high-pressure compressor for the smaller Trent 500 set to power the latest versions of the A340.
Rose says the aim is to apply R-R Deutschland's capabilities "to programmes other than those for which the company was established". He confirms it will be responsible for "systems integration" of two-shaft civil aero engines in the 13-23,000lb (58-102kN) thrust bracket. "We hope that in the future we may be able to extend this responsibility to higher thrust engines."
In the short term, R-R will focus on being selected to supply a turboprop variant of the BR700 for the A400M military transport and securing a place for the BR715 on Bombardier's proposed BRJ-X regional jet family.
Rose says R-R could still have an interest in acquiring MTU, but MTU's close co-operation with Pratt &Whitney in the civil market would cause problems for a tie-up.
Dasa chief Dr Manfred Bischoff says there are no talks with potential buyers for MTU, which will not become part of European Aeronautic, Defense and Space. "MTU will be an indispensable strategic partner, in whatever combination, with P&W," he adds.
• Bischoff has played down suggestions that BAE Systems could increase its 20% stake in Airbus when the latter becomes a single corporate entity. "I cannot imagine we will get a substantial deviation from the 20%," says Bischoff, who claims Dasa's Airbus plants are "at least as efficient" as BAE's, which have yet fully to repay £450 million ($730 million) of A330/A340 launch aid, hitting its valuation.
Source: Flight International
